R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On June 6, 1999, the Reverend Raphael C. Smith will
 1-2     retire as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Austin,
 1-3     drawing to a close more than a quarter century of faithful service
 1-4     to the spiritual needs of others; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Loveland, Ohio, he answered his
 1-6     country's call during World War II, serving his nation with
 1-7     distinction as a member of the U.S. armed forces; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Reverend Smith has achieved outstanding success in
 1-9     his role as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church; in addition
1-10     to leading the effort to reduce the church mortgage debt in a short
1-11     time, he established a building fund program and presided over the
1-12     dedication of a million dollar edifice for the church in 1986; and
1-13           WHEREAS, He also instituted a children's church to teach
1-14     young worshipers ages 3-12, established a graded music department,
1-15     and implemented a transportation ministry to assist church members;
1-16     and
1-17           WHEREAS, An active force for positive change in his
1-18     community, Reverend Smith has held the position of president of
1-19     Central East Austin Care Givers, St. John Sunday School and BTU
1-20     Congress, and the Baptist Minister's Union of Austin; he also
1-21     served as a co-chair of Austin Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, a
1-22     board member of Austin Meals on Wheels, and a member of the Austin
1-23     Planning Commission; and
1-24           WHEREAS, In recognition of his many significant
 2-1     contributions, he was chosen to receive an Austin Legend Award by
 2-2     The Villager newspaper and he was also awarded an honorary
 2-3     doctorate from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, He has been supported in all his worthy endeavors by
 2-5     his devoted wife, Blondell, and his children, Raneza and Raette;
 2-6     and
 2-7           WHEREAS, For 27 years, Reverend Smith's outstanding spiritual
 2-8     leadership, understanding guidance, and strong faith have been a
 2-9     tremendous source of inspiration to many individuals in his church
2-10     and community, and he is indeed deserving of special praise and
2-11     recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-13     Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Raphael C. Smith on his
2-14     exemplary service as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and
2-15     extend to him warmest best wishes for a happy and rewarding
2-16     retirement; and, be it further
2-17           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-18     prepared for Reverend Smith as an expression of high regard by the
2-19     Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                       Dukes
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1015 was adopted by the House on May
         21, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House